Underweight and need serious help

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  • simmoner4
    simmoner4 Posts: 131 Member
    MichelleLei1 wrote: »
    simmoner4 wrote: »
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    I am 5'4" and weigh 112. I dipped down to 108 when training for a half marathon I ran in March. I did not stop training like a marathon when I was over. After a month after the marathon I embarrassingly admit that I lost my period, I developed unexplained chronic fatique and just a complete feeling of unwell. Went and had blood work done and I bascially did suffer metabolic exhaustion from over training. My thryroid was low (T4) along with some other irregular or out of normal range metabolic tests.

    Be careful with what ever you do. The best thing I ever did to recover was complete rest, no exercise (no running, no lifting and eating normally). This took me 14 days of nothing, but eating and after this two weeks I feeling well enough to incorporate very low exercise with a slight increase over a month, to what I am doing now.

    This can hurt you and if you do not heed to doctors and family and even when your own body is communication with you, you can do some real damage.

    My outcome, I am back to normal (got my period back), I still run, I do not run 45 miles a week any longer, but that has been cut in half (or down to 4 runs a week at about 20 - 24 miles) and I lift weights a gain and have been on a weight gain for the past month hoping to put on lean muscle and do a clean bulk.

    You need to be ready to do what it is you need to do to put on weight. Everyone around you is signaling to you, its up to you to pay attention and heed warnings of loved ones, and please do this before your body shuts down.. I hope that you cut the miles way down on your running. Lifting weights and running still puts a demand on your body and if you do not treat it right and fuel it properly.. well I am a prime example of what can happen. :)
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    It's not uncommon for athletic females at 12%-15% (which is what I'm betting the OP is at) to lose their periods. I doubt the OP is at under 9%. Her face (if that's a current pic) doesn't look "gaunt".
    OP would you mind posting a pic?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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    Seriously thank you everyone for feedback. I am seeing my doctor next week but went to a wellness center yesterday where they did an "inBody" test. They said it was very accurate. I plan on decreasing running to two 5 milers per week but still lifting 3x per week. I always take 2 rest days per week.

    And just got back from grocery shopping with lots of nuts, avocados and whole fat Greek yogurt.

    My picture is not a recent one. My face is a lot thinner but I haven't thought of it as "gaunt" looking. My arms don't look like there's any fat and my torso you can kinda see my ribs and spine (obviously you can if I move or stretch at all but not as much just standing). I'll try to take pics and post them today.

    I am determined to get healthy. I didn't think it was a problem before but after talking to my nurse sister I realize it's worse than I thought. But I am going to start tracking my food again and make sure I hit my calorie goal. Right now it is set to 1900, do y'all think that's a good number? MFP suggested 2200 but that seems way high...

    Nope doesn't seem that high at all. At 5'4'' 108lbs I burned around 2100 a day (with strength training and cardio). Considering you're training for a marathon, 2200 seems completely reasonable. You should probably schedule an appointment with your gynecologist as well (your doctor will most likely refer you to him anyways). From my personal experience, he'll probably give you a blood test to check your hormone levels and that you're not pregnant (it's a legal thing). In my case, I had low estrogen levels so I was prescribed Medroxyprogesterone (a female hormone that helps regulate ovulation and menstrual periods). Then once that medication induced my period, I was put on a birth control pill to regulate and maintain one until I gained enough body fat naturally regulate my hormone levels. This of course isn't a replacement for weight gain, but it should at least solve your amenorrhea until you can gain enough weight.

    Yes it is my gyno I will be seeing! And that is good to know because I feel like even 1900 is a ton of food. I guess I just don't know how munch I burn. Thanks!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    2200 might be a good start. Track for a month and then add more calories if you arent gaining enough.
  • simmoner4
    simmoner4 Posts: 131 Member
    I have posted a new profile picture that is more recent.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    OP I suggest talking to a therapist.
  • sunnybeaches105
    sunnybeaches105 Posts: 2,831 Member
    I know no competitive runners who are not underweight by standard measures. I wouldn't be asking this question here. Talk to your doctor and share your goals with him or her. You may find that you're fine. You may not. This isn't the right forum though IMHO (given the drama I've seen anytime a woman is on the low end of the BMI scale), and I'd take everything said here with a grain of salt.
  • sueelaineparker
    sueelaineparker Posts: 51 Member
    I've been following your thread OP and I just wanted to wish you good luck in your journey :) please do let us know how you're getting on, and I definitely agree with the comments about setting attainable goals
  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
    How did you get your bf%? I doubt your at 8.8% body fat. The only sure fire way is through water immersion. Every other way is not as accurate, especially bioelectric impedence which typically underestimates body fat % the lower and more athletic you are. The minimum (estimated) for a woman to survive is somewhere between 13-17% but varies. If you're still having your period, that is a good indicator that your body fat percentage is fine for you. When you stop having your period, especially at your age, that is a red flag that your BF is too low.
  • simmoner4
    simmoner4 Posts: 131 Member
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    How did you get your bf%? I doubt your at 8.8% body fat. The only sure fire way is through water immersion. Every other way is not as accurate, especially bioelectric impedence which typically underestimates body fat % the lower and more athletic you are. The minimum (estimated) for a woman to survive is somewhere between 13-17% but varies. If you're still having your period, that is a good indicator that your body fat percentage is fine for you. When you stop having your period, especially at your age, that is a red flag that your BF is too low.
    It was bio electric but I'm doing another test on Monday the old fashioned measuring way. And everything I have learned is that 10-15% is the minimum for proper menstration, not to survive?
  • hekla90
    hekla90 Posts: 595 Member
    simmoner4 wrote: »
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    How did you get your bf%? I doubt your at 8.8% body fat. The only sure fire way is through water immersion. Every other way is not as accurate, especially bioelectric impedence which typically underestimates body fat % the lower and more athletic you are. The minimum (estimated) for a woman to survive is somewhere between 13-17% but varies. If you're still having your period, that is a good indicator that your body fat percentage is fine for you. When you stop having your period, especially at your age, that is a red flag that your BF is too low.
    It was bio electric but I'm doing another test on Monday the old fashioned measuring way. And everything I have learned is that 10-15% is the minimum for proper menstration, not to survive?

    You're definitely not 8% body fat. Calipers and measurements are also widely inaccurate. You'd need a dexa scan but I'm not sure why you're body fat even matters?, 10% is extremely low for a female unless you really had a high percentage or were quite underweight. My bmi is 15.9 and my body fat is no where near that low.

    You're pretty close to a healthy weight as it is (less than 10 lbs to gain). If you're training and it's not a body image thing, it will probably clear up when you aren't training so much. Talk to your doctor of course but given your amount of exercise and the period loss being recent they'll probably give it some time after your marathon. Just as a heads up if they do, consider waiting until after race, if your race is soon. The hormonal dumping makes you feel like *kitten*...
  • fitnessjustin01
    fitnessjustin01 Posts: 239 Member
    Yeah keep the healthy snacks around through the entire day, and don't forget the important healthy fats ☺
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    simmoner4 wrote: »
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    How did you get your bf%? I doubt your at 8.8% body fat. The only sure fire way is through water immersion. Every other way is not as accurate, especially bioelectric impedence which typically underestimates body fat % the lower and more athletic you are. The minimum (estimated) for a woman to survive is somewhere between 13-17% but varies. If you're still having your period, that is a good indicator that your body fat percentage is fine for you. When you stop having your period, especially at your age, that is a red flag that your BF is too low.
    It was bio electric but I'm doing another test on Monday the old fashioned measuring way. And everything I have learned is that 10-15% is the minimum for proper menstration, not to survive?

    Women tend to lose menstruation at 14%. Typically optimal is around 16 to 18%. At these levels, if you have good body composition, you would be pretty defined.
  • FireMike05
    FireMike05 Posts: 16 Member
    Lots of good advice on here! If you'd like some help, shoot me a message and I can work with you in getting some results and offer some advice specific to the goal you have in mind.
  • morg987
    morg987 Posts: 7 Member
    As someone who used to be very into running, exercise, and ate too few calories for my bodies needs, there are definitely consequences to excessive exercise and low body weight.
    The first being that having a low bmi drastically reduces oestrogen which id very important not just for fertility, to have a natural period not induced by birth control pills, but it is also extremely important for bone health as it regulates osteoblasts (bone resorption) and osteoclasts (bone reformation). Even if a period is happening a low bmi can still mean low oestrogen resulting in low bone density and early onset osteoporosis, leading to increased fracture risk.
    My recommendation would be to consider taking a break from running, increase calorie consumption, weight bearing exercises which will hopefully help to gain weight. It is far better to consider a break period so as to avoid future fractures and health consequences of low bone density than to ignore.
    Also it's important to remember that an adequate bmi for a women should realistically be 20 or higher (not in obese range obv) this is a level where hormones are really able to function at there best.
    Multidirectional movements have also shown to be the best form of exercise for bone density, as exercise such as running, swimming and cycling is a linear movement and aerobic (burning energy). Studies have shown that these athletes have lower bone density than those who perform multidirectional exercise such as weight lifting and gymnastics.

    The main thing to take away though is that there is no one diet that will improve bone density, increased calorie consumption will lead to increased weight (both fat and muscle) = increased muscle mass = increased bone density.
    *fat too is needed for proper hormone function
    But don't get obsessed with calorie counting, eating extremely healthy or a rigorous exercise regime. Carbs, protein, fat include it all.
    Dairy, carbs, protein, fats like avocado, nut butters, olive oil, salmon all great plus veg and fruits for vitamins. Depends on your height and weight as to how much you need. But increase calorie consumption gradually. Also eating enough calories is very difficult on salads alone if that is your idea on being healthy, it used to be for me just sayin!

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